PLEA identifies the writer as "Rich Chrisman's lawyer," and Mehrens is still listed as Chrisman's criminal attorney in the case.

However, Mehrens did not sign the op-ed. Though he does make references to being Chandler cop Dan Lovelace's mouthpiece back in the day, which Mehrens was.

I called Mehrens' cell number to ask him if he wrote the piece, all he would say is, "Goodbye, Steve," before hanging up the phone. I called him back and left a message on his cell informing him that if I did not hear from him, I would have to assume he wrote the article.

It's not surprising that Mehrens would defend his client and trash Sergio Virgillo, the other officer present that day. Virgillo told investigators that there was no cause for Chrisman to kill the barking dog and then gun down Rodriguez.

Recently many of you, your wives, your loved ones, and others in the community have questioned how PLEA could support Rich; from the start;
but now that he is fired, the rhetoric has escalated to degrees that really frighten me. Rich is only charged; nothing more. He is presumed innocent under the law and he should be presumed innocent by you, its citizens.

Since PLEA announced that it was holding a BBQ to support Rich, the public clamor has become even more contentious. Many people cannot understand why his Union would still support him, suggesting, I guess, that if the Police department fired him, he must be guilty; that the Brass must know what they are doing. If that were so, then there would be no need for unions in the country; we could just trust the brass to look out for the rank and file.

He compares Chrisman's case to that of Dan Lovelace, the Chandler motorcycle cop who was found not guilty on a second-degree murder charge for shooting a mom in 2002. The woman was in her car with her 14 month-old child.

What Mehrens doesn't tell you, however, is that Lovelace's actions in this case and another incident cost the City of Chandler $4.6 million in lawsuit settlements.

Lovelace attempted to get his job back with Chandler, which had fired him following the incident with the mom. He was turned down. Transcripts from an internal affairs investigation revealed that Lovelace was remorseful over the shooting when interviewed a week afterward.

"I'm so sorry. I screwed up the department, everyone," Lovelace is quoted as stating.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, of all places, turned down Lovelace's bid to become an unpaid reserve deputy. Lovelace finally found employment with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office when Sheriff Paul Babeu hired him as a detention officer.

So trying to paint Lovelace as some sort of martyr is totally bogus, and only works on those who know nothing of Lovelace's history.

Of course, we can't judge the veracity of Chrisman's statements because he zipped his pie hole and lawyered up almost immediately after the shooting.

Mehrens says Chrisman told other officers that Rodriguez had gone for Chrisman's weapon. Too bad Chrisman couldn't tell that to investigators. I suspect Chrisman held his tongue because he knew he'd messed up and that Virgillo wasn't going to go along with the program.

I have to wonder about Mehrens' own statements in the piece, as he seems to take some liberties.

The lawyer criticizes Virgillo's "version of the events" saying that Virgillo "watched them from outside the trailer; for that's is exactly where he was when the situation started escalating."

He adds, " According to Officer Virgillo the dog made him afraid; and the pepper spray bothered him, so he left his fellow officer inside the trailer to handle the situation."

In the interview done by police detectives following the shooting, Virgillo never says that he was afraid of the dog in the room. You can read the police report for yourself, here.

Instead, Virgillo said that neither the dog nor Rodriguez were a serious threat to either officer.

The trailer home -- which was in Rodriguez's name, btw -- has a very small living room. That's where the struggle between Chrisman and Rodriguez took place. Virgillo was in the room at one point and struggled with Rodriguez as well. Chrisman deployed his pepper spray and it choked Virgillo so that he did exit the room briefly.

Virgillo was standing on the threshold of the entrance when he saw the shooting. If Mr. Mehrens had spent more time examining the crime scene instead of writing op-eds for PLEA, he would know that the room is so small that from the threshold, you have a 180 degree view of it. Virgillo was in the perfect position to witness what transpired.

In addition, Virgillo stated that Rodriguez had his hands up and was taking a step back when Chrisman plugged him. He was not going for Chrisman's gun, according to Virgillo's account.

Last time I checked, having meth in your system does not give a cop carte blanche to shoot you. Though Mehrens may feel differently, as he's made his livelihood representing police officers accused of wrongdoing.

It should also be observed that we don't know what, if anything, Chrisman had in his system. It's been speculated that he was on steroids, but Chrisman was not tested for drugs.

Mehrens fails to mention something else from the autopsy report, Rodriguez's left temple was bruised. This corroborates Virgillo's account, as Virgillo said that when they entered the mobile home, and Rodriguez told the pair the had no right to come in, Chrisman went ballistic.

Chrisman supposedly put his gun to Rodriguez's temple and told him, "Yes we do motherfucker!"

And so it began, according to Virgillo. Virgillo described the gun being in Chrisman's right hand. So it would figure that Rodriguez would have a bruise on his left temple.

If Mehrens had some integrity, he would defend his client in the media without running down Virgillo. But Mehrens is doing his damnedest through PLEA's Web site and other outlets to claim that Virgillo is Pinocchio's second coming.

What does Virgillo gain by doing the right thing and telling the truth about what happened October 5? Zip, zilch, nada. It would've been better for him, his career, his privacy, and his safety if he'd just kept his mouth shut or lied about what he saw.

But instead, Virgillo spoke up, and has since become a target of PLEA, PLEA's media pals at KPHO/Channel 5, and attorney Craig Mehrens. Is Mehrens attempting to poison a future jury pool with innuendo and truth-twisting? You be the judge.

His salary is because he cares for his clients are fairly treated and all, make sure what happened what he did. Who has touched my life with dedication and good and moral people. Lone Mountain Truck Leasing

I will speak from my own PERSONAL experience that Mr. Mehrens is one of the most caring , devoted, and intelligent attorneys in this this state that you could ever be blessed by meeting.He was more than a lawyer for me but a friend and someone i could always count on during the worst time in my life, and it wasn't about money or his Mercedes, its because he truly cares about the line between right and wrong and will fight his ass off to make sure that justice and our laws are followed. I am not a police officer, or wealthy Scottsdale?Biltmore snob, but an average working class American who Mr Merhens extended his service to fight for something he deeply believed in, and I will forever be in debt to him for the joy that he provided in my life. He is the only one I have sent a Christmas card to the past 5 years because of him , I received the greatest gift one could ask for . So before you try to judge someone, focus on the wonderful things they have done, and how he has touched peoples lifes before you judge him negatively on what you may THINK you know about him by what you have heard. Im not a fancy New Times journalist, i did even finish high school, but at 35 years old, and by working hard to create a name for my self in Phoenix, Mr Craig Mehrens is one person that i can honestly say has changed my life for the positive and made me a better person just by knowing him and what he stands for. Think real hard about how many people in your life that have touched you in that way before you judge someone one without knowing who they are and what they stand for maybe you should get to know the MAN behind the name. Thank You Sir For everything you have done and continue to do for us- you gave me the greatest gift in the world, Im a father, thank you a million times Mr Mehrens, And Ms Amy F.G. @MMP:disqus

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When cops arrest someone, they absolutely expect people to think that the police know what they are doing because, by gosh, cops don't arrest innocent folks. However, when a cop is charged, they sure are adamant about that pesky "innocent until proven guilty" concept.

Amazing Steve. I thought you were a better reporter than this. I don't even have time to address all the information you left out that has direct bearing on this case. It's pretty clear you don't like Mr. Mehrens and I'm guessing that's because he won't talk to you, knowing you don't write it like it is. And he isn't Clarence Darrow. He's better than Clarence Darrow. Your information in both this case and the Lovelace case is less than accurate in part because it's so incomplete and so taken out of context. How about you wait until trial to see the truth of this case. If he wins the trial, what will you say then? That the jury was prejudiced? That it was all trickery? You might just be surprised by all that you DON'T know about this case. How about you spend time on something you have complete information about? Sorry, that's not your way.

Neither the fundraiser for Chrisman nor the attorney's act of representing him bother me. That's their job. That is why we have unions and lawyers. If ever we wrongly accused (which doesn't seem to be the case here), we'd want those institutions to work on our behalf.

I am troubled by the unseemly behavior of the attorney who, in effect, is out begging for money. He is the ultimate beneficiary of the fundraiser. It's his bills that need paid. If Mehrens believes so much in the innocence of his client, and the injustice that continues by allowing the prosecution to proceed, then why doesn't he just waive 100% of his fees?

Instead, he breaths new life into the tired jokes about lawyers being whores. Rather than working a corner, he out working a digital pole, begging for money in exchange for his - ahem - services.

Not that the Arizona State Bar Association would actually do anything to protect the public from unethical behavior of attorneys (they're more into providing political cover to lawyer-politicians) but there is a little Ethical Rule that appears to have been violated by Mr. Mehrens:

ER 4.1. Truthfulness in Statements to Others

In the course of representing a client a lawyer shall not knowingly: (a) make a false statement of material fact or law to a third person; or (b) fail to disclose a material fact when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting a criminal or fraudulent act by a client, unless disclosure is prohibited by ER 1.6.

Steve, perhaps Mr. Mehrens did not respond to your questions about the authorship of the article due to the above ethical rule and his intention to get away with smearing Mr. Virgillo whilst maintaining his "technical" ethical standing with the Bar.

"According to Officer Virgillo the dog made him afraid; and the pepper spray bothered him, so he left his fellow officer inside the trailer to handle the situation."

So he blatantly lies about the dog, and in the same sentence he implies that Virgillo "abandoned" Chrisman by leaving his "fellow officer" to handle the situation. I would say that yes, he is indeed attempting to taint a future jury pool while at the same time convince other officers in the PPD into thinking Virgillo is not one of "them." Typical slimebag lawyer move, and typical of Arizona's current Republican legislators.

At what point do these people get called out on their lies and deceptions and have to answer for them? Maybe the reason Pearce can throw out phony immigration stats and a PLEA lawyer can make false statements in print is because no one is holding any of them accountable for their lies, except, of course, some media outlets. Corruption starts at the top, and the little people--us--end up getting the shaft in the end (pun intended).

Mehrens is supposed to be one of the most skilled lawyers in the Valley. He has, supposedly, over 50 years experience in the field.

The fact that he continues to slime Virgillo means he is ruining his case for Chrisman. He knows full well he cannot make inflammatory statements while the prosecution is ongoing.

Seriously, in the wake of corruption in this state, I found myself questioning the honesty and integrity of police, lawyers and politicians alike.

First, you have the MCSO corruption scandals, which Buffoon and the AG's Office whitewashed.

Second, you have the whole MCAO scandal, which is supposed to, hopefully, result in disbarments, starting next Thursday. Third, you have the Fiesta Bowl scandal, in which about a dozen of our politicians, including Senator Pearce, went on Fiesta Bowl-paid trips to Boston, Dallas, Chicago, and Pasadena, and then failed to disclose those trips and other gifts, including sports tickets, on their financial disclosure forms.

Sounds to me that law enforcement traitor--Mehrens just loves cops who are on the wrong end of the law. As the Feathered Bastard has pointed out, Mehrens actually defends wrongdoings and criminal activities committed by rogue law dawgs. This is the sort of moral ethic blasphemy that PLEA is approves of. They defend cops who commit crimes. No matter how unspeakable and brutal it is, such as in the Chrisman case. PLEA is obviously a criminal sympathizing cult. The masses should outraged.

Once that Flaccid Fool over at the MSCO is indicted on criminal charges, stemming from the massive SCA reports(and beyond). One shouldn't doubt that Mehrens will immediatly jump on the criminal defense bandwagon for arpaio & ilk. Its a sham, akin to something far more ominious.

Typical situation here in AZ. Blame the mexicans for all the wrong..This attorney looks like a nutcase himself.. How funny how all this corruption goes on but the people that get hurt by it always seem to be the ones that have to come out defending themselves.. I say we have a BBQ event for Officer Virgillo and commend him as a Hero for stepping up to the plate..Its really sad how Arizona is so corrupt from lawmen to politicians..What I don't understand is why people don't stand up and take the city back.. I say we start a movement to make Washington take over this state and put it back on its tracks..This is a sorry state from Brewer to Arpaio this place is a joke..Stephen when are we going to get more on the Fiesta bowl scandal? why does it seem like no one is reporting on it. How bout the Arpaio investigations? Mr Lemmons again thank you for all your information..ViVa La Raza!!

You make it bad for white Zonies. You are such an obvious misadventure of genetics we'll have to post a disclaimer stating that not all Zonies have IQs under 40 and most don't key e-mails with their flippers or their six-toed feet.

Oh, PS, the asshole killer cop is a white guy. That's what this story is about; an asshole WHITE killer cop.

Those guys weren't identified by nationality in your link, - but you sure stand out as a Teapartying racist - maybe even a pig - trolling the web for immigration-related articles to dump shit like this into. At least you're ashamed enough of yourself that you're hiding behind a virtual sheet. I'm just not disclosing my identity because you're the people with the history of perpetrating violence on the innocent - that's the rich cultural heritage for your kind of politics, asshole. Fuck you and the border.

Mr. Mehrens fees are paid by an insurance company in California that covers all officers charged with crimes and this insurance is provided by PLEA. The money collected at the fundraiser is for Richard Crisman, who is without a job and has children to support. Not one dime of the fundraiser will go to Mr. Mehrens, who is one of the most highly regarded attorneys in this State. Very smart, very ethical, very hardworking. I'm surprised you would say something so patently wrong.

Not one statement made by Mr. Mehrens is false and when and if you go to the trial, you will see that. He is not a scumbag lawyer. He is an excellent attorney who is representing his client. He would even represent you if you were charged with a crime, which is what the constitution requires.

Oh no you are goign for the classic IQ attack. Whatever will I do? The killer cop was doing his job. The mexi was just showing his south of the border rich cultural heritage as usual. Low class trash. How many chickens do you have running around your yard? Better yet, how many anchor babies has your mother spit out on US soil? And how many social programs is she taking advantage of? I bet your family is on food stamps, aren't they? I bet you collect unemployment too. How sad.

And I could post a thousand links of mexicans committing crimes, does that mean that all mexicans are bad? NO, just most of them. I wish they would use protection instead of spitting out anchor baby after anchor baby, after anchor baby.

Speaking of perpetuating violence, will you please ask your cousins why they felt they needed to gang up and rob a woman at knifepoint. No, fuck YOU and your illegal coward family for not following the USA's laws. This is the United States of America now. This is NOT mexico. You lost that war and you will lose again. Now go find yourself some dignity and walk back across that desert into mexico and fight for your country, rather than coming here and demanding everything be given to you thanks to taxpayers. You fucking leech.

How do you know Mehrens drives a foreign-made car? If he can afford it, and most lawyers typically can, then he has a right to buy it. (Mercedes-Benz is the typical lawyer car, although some are known to drive Jaguar).

Update: After screwing the AZ court system around no end with endless delays - Chrisman and his attorney have been told that the trial must definitely begin on August 8 2012.ref: Clerk of the Superior Court Minute Entries Maricopa County: case # CR2010153913This is not over﻿ for Chrisman - not even close.

And I could post a thousand links of Anglos committing crimes (genocide,kiddy-diddling, massive theft,etc.), does that mean that all Anglos are bad? NO, just most of them. I wish they'd use protection. That'd end most wars and almost all child molestation.

I say round up the illegals and put them to work securing our border. We've got 12 million illegals. A border fence would go up in no time. We'd have a fully secure border because the illegals volunteered. What do you think?

Dude, you're too much. You admit to the major premise, one that destroys your argument, but then re-double on your now demonstratively flawed conclusion. Has logic no place in your thinking?

More hilarious is the notion that illegals need to spit out anchor baby after anchor baby. As anyone who follows this issue knows, there are no anchor babies. Having a baby born a US citizen does virtually nothing to keep you in the US. Baby or no baby, if you are here in violation of the various civil regulations regarding immigration and are discovered, you're out of here in all but the rarest of cases. But it is not your ignorance that make your comment funny, it's that even there were anchor babies, your logic is still a complete fail: if an illegal has an anchor baby, they need not spit out another. Nor would the "baby" then need to later spit one out.

Here's the truth: a US citizen can not request a parent to come to the United States to join him or her until that citizen in an adult, and then the parent must have a clean immigration history and must undergo a process that typically takes five years to complete.

Quit listening to wingnut radio if you aren't willing to research what you are told.

USgovfail is the real fail here: both as to the facts and to the logic he attempts to use on them.

First, as the Bush administration was forced to admit, illegal aliens give more than they get. Full stop. Illegals cause a number of problems, but being leeches on the taxpayers isn't one of them. If you're going to hate, at least respect yourself enough to hate for a true and honest reason.

Second, just because one opposes the US border policy does not make one an illegal. It is with bemused sadness to see such an amazing logic fail presented in this discussion.

USgovfail is an exemplar of what history has shown us time and time-again, good people who have failed in their lives will do anything to avoid confronting that which as caused their failure. Rather, they will invent bogeymen to attack and onto whom they will lay the blame. When they tried to attack the learned "elites" that failed because, at the end of the day, we respect people who go to school As no one aspires to be born poor and desperate, the illegals became an easy target.

So for USgovfail we have nothing but pity. His cousins recently were arrested for child pornography and forced slavery - demonstrating his rich culture - so he has to lash out at the cultures of others.

This is the first time i have EVER respond ed one of these, but i must defend someone whose integrity touched my life , and it wasnt about fancy cars or money. I was the type of client that an attorney of Mr Mehrens statue would have thrown out of his office, but instead, he took me as a client, and fought with a brilliant style and class that left me speechless. He wasnt about the paycheck, he did what he did because he cared about his client being treated fairly and did everything to make sure that happened. He is a person that touched my life with his dedication and kindness and ethics, and i couldnt say enough thank yous to him. ( and by the way, im a 9th grade drop-out and drive 2 Mercedes-benzs), so u drive whatever makes you feel safe, and rather than spend your time judging other vehicles, try to make a positive change as Mr Mehrens did for my family,,,,,,,,,,,,,,F.G.